Speed-controlling apparatus for motor-driven vehicles.



PATENTED APR. 25, 1905.

J. H. E. GOETZE. SPEED CONTROLLING APPARATUS POR MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLES.

APPLIOATION FILED 00T. 3. 1904.

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PATENTED APR. 25, 1905.

J. H. E.'G0ETZEu SPEED GONTEGLLING APPARATUS EOE-MOTOR DEIVEN VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 3. 1904.

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No. 788,204. PATBNTED APR. 25, 1905.

, J. H. E. GOETZE. SPEED GONTROLLING APPARATUS FOB. MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLES.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 3. 190.4.

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- am' (y mil/P dt/ M JMJ. www W75 y www UNITED STATES JOHANNES HEINRICH EMIL Patented Aprn a5, 1905.

PATENT OEEIcE.

SPEED-CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR MOTOR-DRIVEN VEHICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 788,204, dated April 25, 1905.

Application filed October 3, 1904:. Serial No. 226,951.

To all whom, zit may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHANNES HEINRICH EMIL GOE'IZE, a citizen of the German Empire, and a resident of Heckkathen, near Bergedorf, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Speed-Controlling Apparatus for Motor-Driven Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling the speed of motor-driven vehicles. It presupposes that when the motorist or chauffeur enters a district or country where there is a speed limit for motor-driven vehicles his speed of travel is made to conform to the regulations. To this end a plate is provided, on which are inscribed suitable indications, such as Slow or Half-speed, and which is out of sight when the vehicle is running on a clear road or at full speed, but is brought into view by a change in the speed, so saving unnecessary trouble to the police employed in regulating the trafiic, as well as to the chaueur himself. Means are also provided and are set in operation on the indicatorplate being' brought into view, and which means on the speed travel being exceeded beyond the legal limit are adapted to act automaticall y on the throttle-valve or on the sparking or igniting device or on the steering-gear and to cut off the source of power.

The annexed drawings illustrate three forms of the improved apparatus. Y

Figure 1 represents anexample of an apparatus embodying the features of my invention, and Fig. 2 shows a modification thereof. In Fig. 1 the cutting off of the motive power is effected by mechanical means, whereas in Eig. 2 it is effected by electrical means. Fig. 3 is a front view of the speed-indicator and adjoining parts, showing the indicator raised; Fig. 4, a detail longitudinal section through the governor-spindle; Eig. 5, a cross-section through the lower coupling member. Fig. 6

is a longitudinal section through a modification of the apparatus; Fig. 7 a side view ofV Eig. 6 with some of the parts omitted; Eig. 8, a detail side view of the speed-indicator; Eig. 9, a similar view showing the parts in a diii'erent position; Eig. 10, a front view of Eig. 9; Fig. 11, a front view of Eig. 8; Fig. 12, a similar view showing both indicators folded down, and Fig. 13 a cross-section through the free chain-wheel of the clutch for the centrifugal governor.

For the purpose of my invention I arrange in front of the motorists or chauffeurs seat an indicator-plate 2, capable of a turning movement upon a pillar or post 1 or upon any other suitable carrier, and upon the axis 3 of this plate is fixed a lIand-lever 5, adapted to travel over a guide-quadrant et, mounted on the pillar 1. By the aid of this handlever 5 the indicator-plate 2, which is inscribed with a distinguishing indication, such as Halfspeed, can be raised or lowered. The plate is down or lowered when the road is clear-that is to say, when there is no necessity to limit the speed of travel. The lever 5 is linked or connected, by means of a rod 6, with the arm 7 of a bell-crank lever. The arm 8 of this lever is connected by a rod 9 with the arm 1() of a bell-crank lever whose forked arm 11 engages a ring 12, forming part of a toothed clutch 55, said part being adapted to slide by the feather 5G (see Figs. 4 and 5) on the rotatable sleeve 13. This clutch-piece is controlled by a spring 14, which bears against a collar 15 on the sleeve 13. On this sleeve are mounted upon arms 16 the balls 17 of acentrifugal governor. The arms 16 are connected by links 18 to a sleeve or collar 19, which is adapted to slide on the sleeve 13. This latter surrounds a spindle 20, which is connected to the sleeve 19 by two pins 21, Figs. 1 and 4i, passing through slots 22 in the sleeve 18, so that movement of sleeve 19 communicates motion to the spindle 20. The sleeve 13 is rotatable on a fixed spindle 50, on which is loosely mounted achain-wheel 23. This latter is provided with crown ratchet-teeth 24 to engage the teeth of the clutch member 55. The chain-wheel 23 is actuated when the vehicle is traveling by means of a chain 30, passing over a wheel 29, which is secured to the axle 28 of the rear wheels of the vehicle. It is, however, obvious that the chain-wheel 23 may be actuated in any other well-known manner. In case the centrifugal governor is horizontal it would be provided with a spring 57.

In the mechanically-operated arrangement, Fig. 1, a bearing 35 engages with the spindle 2O under the action of a spring 31 and a system of rods and levers 32 33 34. The outer end ofl the rod 32 is connected with the arm 36 of the throttle-valve in the exhaust or in the supply-pipe of' the cylinder 37, which is held open by the tension of the spring 31. The bearing 35 moves in a small box or compartment 39, forming part of' the casing 38 inclosing the centrifugal governor, and on which box or compartment the bell-crank lever 33 34 is mounted. The form of' arrangement is applicable to motors having either incandescence tube-ignition or spark-ignition devices. In the electrical mode of operation, Fig. 2, the end of' the spindle 2O is provided with two disks 25, between which Works the forked end of' a contact-arm 27, turning about a pin 26. In this modification a small chamber 39, forming part of `the casing 38 inclosing the centrifugal governor, contains the contact-arm 27 and the end of' the spindle 20. In the ordinary running or' the vehicle the contact-arm 27 rests on the contact 40, which is connected by wire 41 with the ignitionchamber 42. From this lattera wire 43 passes to the battery or source of electricity E and is connected by a wire 44 with the contactarm 27. W ith a second contact 45 a wire 46 is connected and a wire 47 with the wire 43, and in the second circuit so formed an electric bell or the like 48 is inserted. Also in the ordinary running of the vehicle the contact-arm 27 rests upon the contact 40, and the ignition-circuit is thus complete; but should the arm be moved to engage with the contactpiece 45 the ignition-circuit will be broken and the bell-circuit will be set in operation. This breaking of the ignition-circuit can only take place if the centrifugal governor operates to effect it and the speed ofl travel of the vehicle exceeds its legal limit. The operation or throwing out of' action by mechanical means is effected in a similar manner, Fig. 1. In this case when the recognized speed limit is exceeded the spindle 2O is lowered, and the rod 32 acts against the tension of the spring 31, and the throttle-valve in the inlet or outlet pipe on the cylinder 37 is wholly or partially closed, so that the source of power is entirely or partially cut o. The relative positions of the parts when the source of power is interrupted are represented in dotted lines in both arrangements.

On setting the plate 2 in the vertical position the bell-crank levers 7 8 and 10 11 are actuated by means of rods 6 and 9, so that the spring 14 can press the clutch member 55 into engagement with the teeth 24 of the wheel 23, so bringing the centrifugal governor into operation, which when the predetermined speed limit for travel is exceeded automatically reduces the supply of motive power to the desired degree. Thus the mechanism not only constitutes a control for the driver of' the motor-vehicle, but also an indication for the police, as on the approach of the vehicle it can be seen at once by looking at the indicatorplate whether the driver is going at the legal rate of speed. The apparatus serves, moreover, as a check on the driver himsell when needed.

In Figs. 1 and 2 are shown in dot-and-dash lines special electric circuits for an electrometor, the working of' which can be interrupted by the movement ofl the spindle 20. M indicates the electromotor, and E the battery or source of electricity. On the bell-crank lever 33 34 ofl the system of' linkwork 34 33 32, which is connected with the throttle-valve, (held open by spring 31, Fig. 1,) is an arm 51. This arm works upon a contact-arm 53, pivoted on a stud 52 on the motor-wire, and said contact-arm on the movement of the spindle 2O quits the contact-piece 54, which is in connection with the source of electricity, and thus breaks the circuit through the electromotor M andstopsits work. In Fig. 2 a similar arrangement is shown. Here the contactarm 53, pivoted on the stud 52, is held between the disks 25, fixed on the spindle 20, and by the movement of the spindle breaks contact with the piece 54.

/Vhile in the preceding two arrangements the diminished speed of travel is indicated by a single plate being brought into a position in which it is visible, the modifications illustrated in Figs. 6 to 13 show how it is possible by actuating two plates to further indicate more than one change of speed. The same numerals and letters of reference are used to indicate similar parts in these modifications, as in the previously-described ones. On the axle 3, besides the fixed plate 2, is a looselyarranged second plate a, which presses against springs b5 through the projection c, which has a fixed position relatively to the axle 3. By means of' a finger d, fixed on the axle 3, the plate o can be turned against the pressure of the springs L b through an angle ot' ninety degrees. The rotation of the axle 3 is effected in a special manner from the axle c, upon which the hand-lever 5 is fixed, said hand-lever being capable ot' being set or fixed in three different positions on a quadrant 4, Figs. 6 andlO, 8 and 11, as well as 9 and 12. The hand-lever 5 is connected with a bell-crank lever 10 11 by a rod 6, bell-crank lever 7 8, and a rod 9. On the arm 11 of the bell-crank lever a fork is formed, which is connected with a. ring g within the casing by connectingrods f. This ring is provided with an arm g, and this latter with a sliding piece g2, which is guided by the strip g3 on the wall of the casing 38. On the arm 11 of the bell-crank lever 10 11 is a second fork c", which is con- IOO IIO

nected with the ring 12 andv provided with a nose 2, by which it is supported on the arm 11. The ring 12 is carried by the clutch member 55, which by means of the feather or key 56 is secured to the sleeve 13 and can slide thereon. The sleeve 13 extends to a pair of ballbearing collars /t t, of which collar lo' serves as asupport for sleeve 13, while collar serves as a support for a second sleeve It. Sleeve 7c extends to the boss Z of the chain-wheel Z, which is loose upon the spindle and during the travel of the vehicle is actuated by the chain-wheel m, afiixed to the wheel-axle 28. A second chain-wheel 29, affixed to the axle 28, drives the chain-wheel 23, which carries with it the sleeve f: during travel. One end of this sleeve 7n forms a clutch member 7c', and the other end constitutes a toothed disk 7a2. Through two or more holes in the toothed disk 7a2 pass rods n. These rods connect a disk 0 with a clutch member p. The disk 0 is screwed into a sleeve 0, that is engaged by ring g. The teeth of clutch member p are adapted to engage corresponding recesses in the chain-wheel l. The teeth of the second clutch-piece 7c engage the recesses provided in the clutch member 55. Engaging the teeth of the toothed disk 7a2 are pawls q, arranged in the chainwheel 23, which when desired can be put into gear during travel, so that the sleeve /r moves with the clutch-piece /c/ and the clutch-piece p with the sleeve 0, which are connected by the rods n. These rods a are of such a length as to pass through the toothed disk k2 until the teeth of the clutch-piece p mesh with the teeth of the chain-wheel Z. The spring 14 between the collar 15 of the sleeve 13 and the clutch 55 shifts the latter toward the free position. This happens when the indicator-plate 2 is brought into the vertical position, and consequently upon such movement the fork vf is set free, so that during the travel the coupling of the parts la and takes place, and hence the centrifugal governor is set in rotation. The governor on exceeding the regulation speed cuts off, by means of the spindle 20 and parts 35, 34, 33, 32, 36, 51, 52, 53, and 54, the motive power and sets the bell 48 in operation. Thus under specially favorable conditions the motorist is able to maintain a moderately good speed, and for this purpose and also to have an indication of the control the second plate a is provided, so that if it be in the vertical position, Figs. 9 and 11, the connected parts 0 n p, which had already been moved a certain distance by the coupling of the parts 55 and r, owing to the movement imparted to the fork c', are still further displaced until the parts 1J and lare coupled. As the wheel Z will turn at a greater speed than the wheel 23, the sleeves 7c and 13 will also rotate more quickly. This produces with regard to wheel 23 a certain amount of overrunning. The pawls g, which are under the influence of springs, therefore slide freely over the ratchet-teeth.

Owing to the great weight of motor -Vehicles, variation in the load need scarcely be considered. If during high speed on a level road or on a long downward incline the indicator-plate rises, the indication thereon will not automatically and instantly correspond truly with the speed. In such a case the motorist must apply the brake until the bell or other sounding device ceases to ring. As soon as the prescribed speed has been attained care must be taken when descending inclines with the automatic mechanism indicating the slightest excess of speed that the motive power be cut off in each instance for a sufficient length of time to insure that the normal moderate speed is restored. r

The audible signaling device (illustrated by way of example in Fig. 2) can be applied to each of the modifications shown. For incandescence tube ignition any suitable source of electricity (wet or dry batteries) may be employed.

The operation is as follows: When the road is clear and there is no speed limitation, the speed-indicator is folded down, so as to permit the motorist to run with full speed; but when it is necessary not to exceed a certain low speed the indicator 2 is brought into a vertical position, Fig. 3, by turning handle 5 down. This will by rod 6, bell-crank 7 8, link 9, and bell-crank 10 11 cause the clutch members 23 55 to be coupled, so that sleeve 13, spindle 20, and governor 17 17 participate in the rotation of wheel 23, whichis driven from the caraxle. As soon as the speed permitted is exceeded the governor will pull collar 19, together with spindle 2O and bearing 35, downward. This downward movement of the bearing will by bell-crank 34 33 and rod 32 partly close valve 36 of supply-pipe 37. In this way the speed will be slowed down to the desired degree. After the road is again clear the indicatoris folded down to open clutch 23 55 and allow the motorist to resume full speed.

1. In a motor-car, the combination of a lirst clutch member with means for operatively connecting the same to one of the car-axles, a rotatable sleeve, an inclosed slidable spindle, a spring-influenced second clutch member slidably mounted on the sleeve, a governor carried by the sleeve and operatively connected to the spindle, a valve controlled by the spindle, and an indicator operatively connected to the second clutch member, substantially as specified.

2. In a motor-car, the combination of airst clutch member with means for operatively connecting the same to one of the car-axles, a rotatable and slidable spindle, a sleeve embrac- IOO IIO

ing the same, a second clutch member slidably mounted upon the sleeve, a governorcarred by the sleeve, a collar operated by the governor and engaging the spindle, a valve controlled by the spindle, and an indicator operatively connected to the second clutch memy ber, substantially as specied.

Signed by me at Hamburg this 14th day otl September, 1904.

JOHANNES HEINRICH EMIL GOETZE.

Witnesses:

AUGUST WENK, OTTO W. HELLHRICH. 

